Punjab Cabinet Approves Recruitment of 300 Specialist Doctors to Boost Healthcare

The Punjab Cabinet, led by the Chief Minister, has approved the enlistment of 300 specialist doctors across 12 key categories to provide quality healthcare services throughout the state. This decision was made during a cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister. According to a spokesperson from the Chief Minister's office, this move aims to enhance the availability of specialist doctors, thereby improving the quality of secondary healthcare services for the people of Punjab.

The cabinet has also approved amendments to the Punjab Minor Mineral Rules, 2013, to make mining services more efficient, citizen-friendly, and transparent. As per the Punjab State Minor Minerals (Amendment) Policy 2025, the amendments are necessary to incorporate new rules and changes for the allocation of mining rights to leaseholders of crusher mining sites and landowners' mining sites in the state.

Specialist Doctors to Enhance Healthcare

The specialist doctors will be empanelled in categories such as Medicine, Paediatrics, Psychiatry, Dermatology, Chest & TB, Surgery, Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, ENT, and Anaesthesiology. These doctors will be listed at the district level through civil surgeons. They will be entitled to receive empanelment fees per patient for services like OPD, IPD, emergency care, and various operations.

Unified Disciplinary Framework for Co-operative Societies

In a significant move, the cabinet has sanctioned a uniform disciplinary and appellate framework under Rule 28A of the Punjab Co-operative Societies Rules, 1963. This framework aims to eliminate dual appeal processes and prevent conflicting decisions within the same board or its committees. It establishes a clear chain of command in disciplinary actions and ensures that appeals are heard only once within the institution.

By ensuring a well-defined, uniform framework and specifying authority at every level, institutional accountability will be strengthened. This will also aid in safeguarding the rights of employees. The framework will bring uniformity across all apex institutions and central co-operative banks operating in Punjab's co-operative sector.

The cabinet's decisions reflect its commitment to improving healthcare services and ensuring effective governance in the state's co-operative sector. These measures are expected to bolster the delivery of services and enhance the operational transparency of mining activities in Punjab.